A handful of days from its Early Access launch, Nightingale has shared an official extended video detailing the core gameplay mechanics. The multiplayer “gaslight fantasy” survival game is slated for a February 20th release, two days earlier than originally planned.
The game’s core ‘quirk’ is its Realm Card system, which invokes procedurally generated maps, known as “Realms,” with unique perks and styles. There are three cards as part of the system: “Biome” cards, determining the style of setting; “Major” cards, defining the core gameplay prioritized, such as “Hunt,” “Herbarium,” and “Gloom;” and “Minor” cards that insert or alter details such as rewards, resources, weather, gravity and more.
Some Realms even spawn NPCs that offer missions (and rewards). The examples given in this video are Nelly Bly, a famous American journalist, and the fictional Victor Frankenstein.
But first, if you’re able to get out of the immense character creation screen, you start by learning the game’s fundamental survival systems. The trailer explains while the bread-and-butter survival crafting systems are there, more advanced crafting systems are possible. This is especially in regards to materials, which can not only improve item quality, but change stats, presenting a fully customizable playstyle.
This, of course, affects the combat, which is far from neglected in Nightingale. The game touts a quick-swap item style for flexibility, and the item variance means players can adapt to any style they can build for.
Players are also encouraged to build Estates to their gameplay style. It’ll likely start with a basic survival game-style shelter, but there are plenty of options for expansion in both aesthetic and function. Estates can turn into workshops, gardens, and fortresses, and a variety of architectural styles can be invoked.
Multiplayer is also heavily emphasized, with parties of up to six players enabled to hunt, travel Realms, and build Estates together. Once players reach the end game, they can access The Haven, a wider social hub for a higher number of players, with party congregation and formation, missions, and high-difficulty dungeons.
Inflexion Games' Nightingale is on the verge of its major Early Access release next week on February 20th. If our Editor-in-Chief’s hands-on experience with the game, including many of the features above, tells us anything, it’s looking pretty promising. Plus, the developers are already hard at work making sure it’s in top shape after many player testing opportunities.
